Facts About Oliver Treeโ€™s Life and Career ๐ŸŽค


Oliver Tree Nickell (June 29, 1993 โ€“ June 14, 2026) was an American singer-songwriter, rapper, and filmmaker. Born in Santa Cruz, California, Tree signed to Atlantic Records in 2017 after his song โ€œWhen Iโ€™m Downโ€ went viral.

๐ŸŽ‚ Early Life and Family

Oliver Tree Nickell was born on June 29, 1993, in Santa Cruz, California, to Jesse Louis Nickell III and Christine Marie. His father worked as a real estate contractor and both of his parents were traveling circus performers.

Because of their career with the circus, Tree spent most of his early childhood living in a motor home, traveling extensively across the United States. He grew up surrounded by musical instruments that lined the walls of the vehicle, which heavily fostered his early creativity.

๐ŸŽต Musical Beginnings

Tree began taking classical piano lessons at age three, started writing original compositions at four, and claimed to have written a full album by the time he was six years old. His family settled permanently in Santa Cruz when he was 12 years old.

During middle school, he picked up the guitar, began singing, and joined a local Santa Cruz ska band called Irony. During his high school years, Tree transitioned away from ska towards electronic music and hip-hop.

๐Ÿ’ฟ Career Milestones

Tree signed to Atlantic Records in 2017 and released his debut studio album Ugly Is Beautiful on July 17, 2020. He published his second studio album, Cowboy Tears, on February 18, 2022; his third studio album, Alone in a Crowd, on September 29, 2023; and his fourth studio album, Love You Madly Hate You Badly, on April 24, 2026.

Throughout his career, he was best known for his trolling, meme marketing, and signature bowl cut. Tree died on June 14, 2026, in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

๐Ÿ“… Personal Life and Death

Tree and singer-songwriter Melanie Martinez began dating in 2019; the two separated amicably in June 2020. In 2022, he said that he was โ€œexploring polyamory.โ€

On the morning of June 14, 2026, Tree was one of four passengers aboard a helicopter in Rio de Janeiro. The collision is under investigation.

Album Release Date Label Notable Singles
Ugly Is Beautiful July 17, 2020 Atlantic Records โ€œAlien Boyโ€, โ€œHurtโ€, โ€œMiracle Manโ€, โ€œLet Me Downโ€
Cowboy Tears February 18, 2022 Atlantic Records โ€œCowboys Donโ€™t Cryโ€, โ€œFreaks & Geeksโ€
Alone in a Crowd September 29, 2023 Atlantic Records โ€œHere We Go Againโ€, โ€œBounceโ€, โ€œOne & Onlyโ€
Love You Madly Hate You Badly April 24, 2026 Alien Boy Records (independent) โ€œSuperheroโ€
๐ŸŽค Oliver Tree was an American musician born in Santa Cruz, California, who released four studio albums between 2020 and 2026. He died on June 14, 2026, in a helicopter crash in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which remains under investigation.